I am not a hard-core camper. l do not backpack much. l usually just go the the state park campground for a weekend or maybe the week. But l have usually gone with others that have brought the majority of equipment so l guess l need to start getting my own. l know what l need for food and clothes, but I am looking for suggestions for other equipment and often forgotten items. l will be tent camping, but will have my car so I am not worried too much about space. Suggestions?

A decent ''mess kit'' to cook with.
A propane stove or equivalent in case u can not have a fire
Tent for protection from rain
first aid kit!!! You never really know when u will need one
Sleeping bag suitable to the temperature
Good knife! l use a Buck 7'' sheath knife
A hand ax or hatchet
Shovel or other digging tool.somethings need to be buried!
Map & compass if u plan to hike (even when on marked trails!)
Water & containers
Camera

Those r the basics that l take with me when l go camping

1) Tent
2) Sleeping bag
3) Mat for sleeping bag (getting rocks and sticks in your back sucks)
4) A light source!! (forgetting a lantern/flashlight SUCKS)
5) Something to cook with, grill/wood/matches
6) A heat source (changes with location)
7) WATER WATER WATER WATER WATER WATER
8) A compass is never a bad idea
9) A first aid kit!!!! accidents happen, be prepared
10) some kind of flare for if you have an emergency

Stove, fuel, matches, cooking utensils and pots, dining ware, matches, dish soap, large buckets for doing dishes, sleeping bag, spool of light rope, ax, knife.

Hi Simba,

When u start to think about what to bring, it is easiest when u divide ur needs into basic categories & make a list.

You will need ur shelter & bedding items (such as tent, sleeping bag, hammer or mallet for stakes, air mattress).

Kitchen items (stove, mess kit, charcoal, propane, grill, can opener, coffee pot, etc.)

Personal hygiene items (soap, shampoo, towel, shower shoes, etc)

First Aid items (bandages, anti-itch cream, antibiotic cream)

Lighting: Lanterns, flashlights, extra mantles

Fun stuff to take, games, as well as chairs, hammocks, etc.

It is best to sit down & make a list for yourself to keep & use every time u go camping so u do not forget. Some pretty thorough printable checklists r available to make this easy at
http://your-camping-guidebook.com/complete-camping-checklist.html and
http://your-camping-guidebook.com/camping-checklist.html Use what is there.leave out what u do not want & add ur own favorites.

If u r going to be camping frequently, u can designate a plastic tub with a lid to pack all of ur camping items..we have a separate set for camping so we do not have to raid our home kitchen for these items. l have kept several tubs for different types of items (one for the lighting & tools, one for kitchen items, etc). This way u just check ur tub to make sure everything on ur list is there, clean, & working.throw it in ur car & go.

Hope this helps.

Jewel

We have a medium-sized Rubbermaid box stocked with silverware, a pot, a frying pan, a mixing bowl, a good knife, a few steak knives, some plastic plates & bowls, wooden spoons, some old dish towels, a flashligh, a hammer, & a fold-up wash bin. Most of this was old stuff from our kitchen. We did not buy much that was new. Before we go, we make sure the box is well stocked with matches, a lighter, extra batteries (mostly Ds & AAs), some camp soap (enviro-friendly, bio-degradable soap), Purell, a first-aid kit, sunscreen & bug-repellent, & citronella candles. Then, of course, u need the obvious - tent, sleeping bag and, for added comfort, an air matress with a pump & extra batteries.

Many others have covered it nicely but.as with many other questioners u do not say where in general

Here in the west I'd never go without water, other parts of the country it is not a problem.

Some places u will need shade, bug protection & other gear

One thing the did not seem to be on any lists is rope..

l usually have 100ft trucker rope (that black & orange stuff), 2-3 50ft parachute cords, extra tent stakes & a few tarps

This is handy for many things, making shade, covering gear while out of camp, rain protection etc..

l also like a ''welcome mat'' for the tent it is good spot for removing ur shoes

A bow saw is good, l always get a chuckle when people r out in the woods hacking away with an axe.. It is very tiring & not very productive

''Cohlan is Fire Starters'' - easier to get a fire going
''Parachute cord'' - good for all kinds of stuff, u can get it cheap on Ebay
Water filter - l recommend Katadyn is Hiker Pro
Headlamp - more useful than a flashlight or lantern
''Camping soap'' - can be used for everything, washing hands, dishes, etc. get it at Walmart or any outdoors store
''Folding/Camp chair''
two-burner Coleman is stove
''Orikaso'' camping dishes
Light My Fire spork
any mess kit that is light enough for backpacking
inflatable air mattress that can fit in ur tent
good hunting knife
some type of tarp